Leadership Temple

Now Accepting Applications for Leadership Temple Class of 2026
Applications due by June 6, 2025

LT Class of 2026 Application

Leadership Temple is a premier leadership development and community survey program designed to cultivate and equip emerging and established leaders with the knowledge, connections, and insights needed to drive Temple and Central Texas forward.

This ten-month immersive experience offers firsthand insight into the inner workings of the community, providing participants with opportunities to build relationships with key stakeholders, engage in direct conversations, and experience interactive learning. Through site visits, discussions, and hands-on experiences, participants develop a comprehensive understanding of Temple’s economic, civic, and social landscape, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the region’s long-term success.

Participants are required to complete four outside activities-attending a City Council and School Board meeting and completing two group service projects, one in the fall and one in the spring.

Equipped with a deeper awareness of their community and strengthened leadership skills, Leadership Temple participants graduate ready to make a lasting impact—whether in their workplaces, industries, or through civic engagement.

Learn. Serve. Lead.

Dive in and see how Leadership Temple allows participants access to behind the scenes opportunities.

Program Timeline:
June: Application deadline
July: Selection process
August: Orientation
September-April: Monthly Class Days (typically the second Tuesday each month)
May: Graduation

Class Days:
Curriculum includes nine class days with carefully selected topics and locations, chosen in an effort to introduce and familiarize participants with a broad range of how our community operates, interacts with surrounding communities and the state. The topics include:

City Government
Bell County Government
State Government
Education
Healthcare
Social Services
Economic Development
Fort Cavazos
Public Service

Program Eligibility Guidelines:
1. Applicant must be a member or employed by a member of the Temple Chamber of Commerce.

2. Publicly elected officials except for Precinct Chairman will not be eligible.

3. A husband and wife cannot both be participants in the same class.

4. Participants who are employed by the media are prohibited from using information acquired at the programs for reporting news.

Selection Process:
Following the application deadline, an anonymous committee from the Temple Chamber Membership forms for the purpose of Leadership Temple Selection. This committee reviews all applications received and selects up to 20 applicants to be participants of the new Leadership Temple Class. Of the applicants chosen, no more than 10% represent the same business.

As part of the selection process, two alternates are selected and ranked. If individuals decline to participate, alternates will be invited to participate in the order of their ranking.

Priority is given to applicants who have demonstrated leadership potential or ability in one or more organizations or activities related to the betterment of Temple.

Prior non-acceptance of an applicant does not affect future consideration for selection. No exclusion is made solely on the basis of age, sex, religious preference, or nationality.

Tuition:
The program tuition is $1,000.

tuition assistance scholarship

The Leadership Temple Tuition Assistance Scholarship offers small businesses and non-profit organizations an opportunity to participate in Leadership Temple.

Scholarship Eligibility Guidelines:

Non-profit organizations, defined as charitable 501(c)(3) organizations and churches
Small businesses open for less than 5 years

and/or

Small businesses with gross sales under $500k / annually

Download scholarship application here

what alumni have to say about LT

“When I applied for Leadership Temple in 1988, I had been living in Temple for 5 years and had not ventured too far outside my workplace. The 1988-89 class would be the second one offered by the Chamber, and I remember thinking “now is the time to get involved in the community” … so I submitted my application. Fortunately I was accepted. I can honestly say Leadership Temple was a terrific investment in time. A wealth of information about our city, county, state and community is presented to participants in a very interesting and fun manner. I can think of no other activity that exposes a citizen to such a broad range of community services including government, law enforcement, education and social issues. I highly recommend Leadership Temple if you want to make a positive contribution to the growth and quality of life in Temple.”

harry Adams
Johnson Brothers Ford Lincoln

Class of 1989

stacy bratton
central national bank

class of 2005

“Leadership Temple was my first experience in a leadership role as a young professional just starting my career. I learned so much about my home community! Leadership Temple introduced me to not only new people but, opened my eyes to all of the things our area has to offer. I learned to work with my team members to build a strong group project and presented the ideas we researched to the community. Leadership Temple was a great experience for me and helped springboard me into other leadership positions locally.”

"Leadership Temple is one of the greatest assets our city has. The program afforded me the opportunity to see how the community works from an entirely new perspective. Each experience I had as a participant was incredibly impactful and helped me grow as a leader and professional. There are things I got to see and do that I would never have been able to do if not for the program. I also built relationships that will last a lifetime. I recommend Leadership Temple to anyone looking to improve themselves and their understanding of our wonderful city!"

Now Accepting Applications for Leadership Temple Class of 2026​Applications due by June 6, 2025